The Reefton Murder.

Patea Mail, 26 April 1881, Page 3

The Reefton Murder.

Further particulars have been telegraphed from (dreymouth relative to the murder at Larry’s Creek, Becflon, as follow—Deceased’s skull was so battered in as to expose the brain, and the splinters of the stock of the gun show the force of the blow. Considering the strength of the two men—M'Gahcy being oft 11 in in height—and the desperate struggle which must have taken place between (hem, of which there was abundant evidence, it is thought that M’Galicy missed Bell when he Jirod on him, while he was sitting on the pail in the barn, beginning to milk. There was a cupful of milk in the bucket. APGahcy bad been married about 14 3-ears, without having cause to doubt bis wife’s fidelit3-. About two 3 - ears ago it was rumored that Mrs M'Gahey bad attempted to poison him ; it being said be bad been very sick, and fowls that had eaten his vomit died, but nothing came of the report. They bad an adopted child —a girl—and soon after the poisoning affair, Mrs M'Gabcy accused her husband of violating the girl, but a medical examination obtained by* the police showed there was no truth in the allegation. Mrs M‘Gahey 7 , soon after that, began complaining of the hardship of her married life and the cruelty 7 she was enduring. Then her sympathisers procured for her a situation, but she did not remain in it, giving a very unsatisfactory reason for

not doing so. She went back to her own home at Lai ry’s Creek, but the next night it was burned down. Then her statements as to tl 10 cause of the fire was again considered unsatisfactory, (hough the jury brought in an open verdict. Subsequently some friends got for her a respectable and suitable engagement with a private family, but she would not accept it, and placed herself under the protection of deceased, a single man. Then people began to revive the poisoning rumor, tlic charge of violating, and the burning down the house, and attributed it to a desire that M‘Gahey should not come back to the farm, which was mortgaged for more than its value. Mr M'Gahoy laid an information against Bell, when his wife sought Bell’s protection, for stealing his property, but the charge was not upheld.